Giraffe Manor is a 1930s manor house in the Karen suburb that has become one of the most photographed places in Kenya. The estate shares grounds with a herd of Rothschild's giraffes, which are free to roam and regularly approach the house at mealtimes. Guests eating breakfast or afternoon tea frequently find a giraffe head appearing through the window to solicit snacks.
The manor is primarily a boutique hotel with a limited number of rooms, and staying here is a significant expense. Non-residents can visit for afternoon tea by prior booking, though rooms must be available. The experience is genuine rather than staged — the giraffes come and go on their own schedule, and the manor's location within a wooded estate creates an atmosphere that feels far removed from the city.
The estate is adjacent to the Giraffe Centre (run by a separate organisation) and about 20 minutes by taxi from downtown Nairobi.